Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration Tools (Pros and Cons)
Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration tools (pros and cons). Online collaboration tools such as Confluence enable employees to work together seamlessly from anywhere in the world. This article will go over what Confluence is and the best alternatives if the software doesn’t meet your needs.
What is Confluence?
Confluence by Atlassian started as a software documentation tool. It is knowledge management and over time, it morphed into a general-purpose collaboration tool. With Confluence, you can set up an internal knowledge base or private wiki, share documents and notes, create an employee handbook, and more. Confluence is about templates to get your project going :product roadmaps, checklists, how-to articles, retrospectives
Variety of companies have started using Confluence to manage software projects as it helps DevOps teams communicate more openly. Confluence has been created to work alongside with JIRA issue tracking software.
You can use Confluence as a SaaS (cloud hosted subscription plan) if you have a small team. Alternatively, you can spin up your own managed instance in house in a dedicated server or on Confluence Data centers. But here’s the thing – Confluence’s features and designs are a bit dated, and you might prefer a more modern tool. Consider the following best 20 Confluence alternatives.
Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration Tools (Pros and Cons)
1. Slack
Slack is a messaging tool with a rich selection of tools to facilitate collaboration. It’s easy to use and is a popular alternative to Confluence. One of the most impressive things about Slack is the number of integrations available to users. It works seamlessly with G Suite, Microsoft Office 365, Asana, Trello, and others.
Slack Pros
- Highly customizable.
- File sharing.
- Security (identity and Device Management: SSO, Domain Policy.)
- Wide selection of collaboration tools.
- Slack Encryption key.
- Workflow Builder.
- Easy to use.
- One click video calls.
Slack Cons
- Costly
- File storage is limited to your plan.
- Notifications can be a distraction.
- Conversations are disorganized.
2. Wimi
Wimi is an online project management tool that helps teams stay organized. The software allows you to easily share tasks, projects, discussions, calendars and documents. You also get a personal space in the cloud to store your files. Wimi is an excellent choice for teams and organizations that want to boost productivity.
Wimi Pros
- Easy to use.
- Share files with ease.
- Instant messages.
- Document Management.
- Task and Project Management.
- Great for Small and Medium Business.
- Cross platform capability.
- Excellent cloud storage services.
- Accessible on desktop and mobile, both online and offline.
Wimi Cons
- Wimi lacks advanced project management features.
- Video calls could improve.
- Some of the features have a steep learning curve.
3. Hightail
Hightail is a trendy document management and collaboration tool for the creative industry. The tool focuses on large files such as videos and high resolution images. Users can share files, get feedback and track progress seamlessly. Also, syncing files from Dropbox, OneDrive, and Google Drive is a breeze.
Hightail Pros
- Ideal for creative professionals.
- Workflow Automation.
- Security features for sharing files.
- Allows creatives to receive files from clients via the uplink feature.
- Facilitates a feedback loop with customers.
Hightail Cons
- Limited support for common document types.
- Functionality fragmented across multiple apps.
- Doesn’t show file size when uploading and it must be downloaded first and then opened.
- Very limited collaboration.
Another tool on the list of Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration tools (pros and cons) is Proofhub. It is a project management software that helps teams organize and keep track of projects. The software comes with tools for project management, resource management, collaboration, task management, and more. It also has an inbuilt chat feature to make communication and collaboration easier.
With ProofHub you can enjoy Group chat, discussions on projects, check your workflows and boards. Upload your Documents ( PowerPoint) and share it together with an integrated an Online proofing tool.
Proofhub Pros
- Easy to set up and use.
- Kanban Boards.
- Custom roles.
- Milestones and start/due date for task tracking.
- Competitively priced.
- Gantt Charts.
- IP restriction.
- Workflow and email automation.
- Nice balance of features and simplicity.
- Good tools for discussing visual materials.
Proofhub Cons
- Sometimes loads slowly.
- Too many notifications..
- Lacks budgeting tools
5. Document360
Document360 is a cloud based team collaboration and helpdesk software that allows users to create and manage knowledge bases. You can create and share documents, user manuals, user guides and other information workers and customers require. Some of Document360’s outstanding features include built in analytics, AI powered search, and a selection of customization options.
Document360 Pros
- Effective workflow management.
- Smart File Management.
- API access.
- Powerful reporting and analytics.
- Inbuilt document editor.
- Custom branding and customization.
- Excellent support.
Document360 Cons
- Setup can be complicated.
- Team members cannot edit documents simultaneously using the in-built editor.
6. Monday.com
Monday.com is an excellent Confluence alternative. Teams can plan effectively, execute tasks, and deliver projects on time. You can use the tool on the web or mobile app (Android and iOS).
With Monday.com, you get time tracking, workflow automation, Kanban boards and automated notifications. Team members can share files, give feedback, create knowledge bases, and communicate seamlessly within the app. It aids to streamline sales, creates marketing campaign or run a CRM.
You can effectively manage workflows by integrating Monday.com with Google Drive, Dropbox, MailChimp, and other tools. Monday is perfect for small teams looking to execute and manage repeatable tasks.
Monday.com Pros
- Excellent work and task management.
- Task and resource management.
- Support for Agile Methodology.
- Email integration.
- Timesheet tracking.
- Quotes/estimates.
- Project and financial reporting.
- Highly customizable and flexible.
- Beautiful user interface.
Monday.com Cons
- Limited reporting.
- Better tutorials to help new users learn the features.
- UI UX on mobile app is not good.
7. Trello
Like Confluence, Trello is owned by Atlassian. The tool is an online collaboration and project management tool based on the Kanban framework. With Trello, you can create, organize team tasks, set deadlines and keep track of projects.
Trello cards come in handy when team members want to attach documents, collaborate, or add comments to their tasks. Trello is available via web, Android, and iOS apps. The app also supports third party integration with Jira, Slack, Google Drive, GitHub and others.
Trello Pros
- Easy to understand and use.
- Templates.
- Collaboration and communication.
- Butler, Trello’s automation system, allows for task automation.
- Mobile friendly.
Trello Cons
- It can get clanky as the project grows.
- Limited free features.
- Third party plugins can be troublesome when working with Trello.
- User permissions should have been addressed better.
8. Wrike
Wrike is another choice on the list of Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration tools (pros and cons). This collaboration tool created by Citrix. While Wrike is flexible enough to use in any industry, it’s particularly tailored to agencies, professional service providers, and marketing teams.
Teams can track projects with the software’s inbuilt workflow templates, Gantt charts, or Kanban boards. In addition, team members get automated notifications on the latest project updates. You can integrate the tool with over 400 apps, including Slack, Tableau and Salesforce. Wrike is available via a web app and mobile (Android and iOS).
Wrike Pros
- User friendly dashboards.
- Customize tools depending on team size and needs.
- Interactive Gantt charts.
- Document Management.
- Kanban boards.
- Portfolio Management and time tracking.
- Email integration.
- Integration with accounting software.
- Great customer service.
- Excellent Workflow builder.
Wrike Cons
- Challenging for beginners.
- Managing tasks from mobile apps can be difficult.
- Expensive.
9. Zoho Projects
Zoho Projects is a cloud based project management software that helps teams increase productivity and collaborate through chat, feeds, wikis, and forums. You can access Zoho Projects on the web or through a mobile app (iOS and Android) and create and share files and documents. Integrations include Google Workspace, Slack, and Microsoft 365. You can also integrate Zoho’s collection of tools to help manage your project.
Zoho Projects is a low cost Confluence alternative with a wide selection of features. It’s perfect for small teams and businesses.
Zoho Projects Pros
- Great value.
- Budget and Expense Management.
- Timesheet invoicing.
- Support for Waterfall Methodology.
- Easy to set up and use
- Excellent time-tracking tools
- Multiple communication tools
Zoho Projects Cons
- No premade templates.
- Limited support.
- Mobile version limited and almost unusable.
- Projects are hard to customize
10. Teamwork
Teamwork is yet another cloud based project management tool that helps users improve visibility, collaboration, and accountability. With Teamwork you can increase profitability with tools and reports you need to maximize your resources to help teams to share ideas, get feedback, collaborate and make decisions faster.
Individual users can see the projects they’re working on, edit documents collaboratively, chat, screen share and video call without leaving the app. Billing and invoicing comes in-built so that teams can handle client work seamlessly. Integrations include Microsoft Teams, Dropbox, Slack, and others.
Teamwork Pros
- Document and Case Management.
- Project financial reporting.
- User permissions.
- Time tracking.
- Simple and intuitive design.
- Excellent customization options.
- Includes invoicing and billing.
- Has a free account.
Teamwork Cons
- Individual subscriptions only.
- Great interface but too many features and hard to learn.
- The software can be buggy.
11. Smartsheet
Smartsheet is a spreadsheet application that can be used to manage and track collaborative work. It’s highly customizable and can be used as a project management or task tracking tool. Team members collaborate and share files, notes and project information in a centralized system accessible via web and mobile.
Smartsheet comes with handy project management tools, including visual timeline management, automated workflows, discussion threads, and automated workflows. Integrations include Google Workspace, Box, and Salesforce.
Smartsheet Pros
- Highly customizable.
- Integrations.
- Collaboration between project team and clients.
- Management Dashboard.
- Tickets.
- Powerful reporting and analytics.
- SSO option for Enterprise security level.
- Supports a variety of automations.
Smartsheet Cons
- Confusing for beginners.
- Lack of reports into user activity.
- Add ons are expensive.
- Slow page updates.
12. ClickUp
Next of Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration tools (pros and cons) is ClickUp .It is a cloud based tool that’s a one stop shop for document management, team collaboration, project management and task management. Key features include communication, task management and automatic alerts.
ClickUp Pros
- Excellent mobile app.
- Project management and tracking.
- Scrum.
- Scheduling.
- Email integration.
- Feature-rich
- Advanced reporting
ClickUp Cons
- Some of the features can be overwhelming.
- Memory Usage.
- Steep learning curve.
13. Asana
Asana is a highly customizable productivity collaboration tool that helps teams manage tasks and workflows. Teams can use Asana to manage projects such as work requests, marketing campaigns, and product launches. Project managers can assign tasks to team members, set deadlines, and track progress through Asana boards. The software integrates with more than 200 apps.
Asana Pros
- Easy to use.
- Budget and Expense Management.
- OKRs.
- Integrates with over 200 apps.
- Collaboration Focused.
- Capable free version.
- Task Management with easy to prioritize tasks.
- Easy to manage dependencies with the timeline view.
Asana Cons
- Initial setup is difficult so require some experience.
- Good for only small businesses.
- No Time Tracking Features.
- Can’t assign tasks to multiple users.
14. Workplace from Meta
Workplace is owned by Meta, like Facebook but for business needs. With this collaboration tool, teams can collaborate through an intranet portal or through Facebook Pages, Docs, and Notes. Users also get access to instant messaging and video/voice calls. Workplace integrates with tools Office 365, Google Workspace and ServiceNow. Custom integrations can be built to connect any other tools needed.
Workplace Pros
- Unlimited video and photo uploads.
- Track engagement on the platform.
- The Knowledge Library to keep documents and training materials in one place.
- Integrations.
- Live Videos and group chats.
- Supports employee polling.
- Inexpensive.
Workplace Cons
- Weak support for integrations.
- Needs more robust video reporting capabilities.
15. Bit.ai
Bit.ai is a document collaboration software for teams. The software allows team members to create and work together on documents (both internal and client-facing). Bit.ai comes with more than 50 integrations to allow for interactive collaboration, tracking, and digital content management.
Bit.ai Pros
- Expansive integrations.
- Wiki / Knowledge Base.
- Document Tracking.
- Content Marketing.
- Design Automation.
- Beautiful interface.
- Robust templates.
Bit.ai Cons
- No robust mobile app.
- Limited formatting and design
16. Flock
Flock is a lot like Slack. You have channels as well as group and individual chats. But Flock is much faster and allows you to search through all messages seamlessly. Also, users can collaborate through video and audio calls, screen sharing, and notes. Team leaders can set reminders, conduct polls, and assign tasks.
Flock Pros
- Fully searchable messages.
- Connect with video conferencing.
- File sharing.
- Data Security and Privacy.
- Fast load times.
- Messages have unlimited visibility.
Flock Cons
- It doesn’t support automation.
- Video and audio quality is reported poor at times.
- Messaging limit of 10,000 messages.
17. Planview Clarizen
Planview Clarizen has 17th place on our list of Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration tools (pros and cons). It is a project management and collaboration tool designed for big teams. It’s an exclusively web based software with robust reporting features and detailed resource tracking. Clarizen is designed to work across multiple teams to enable cross company task and project management. If you need a flexible, powerful, and intuitive project management tool, then Planview Clarizen is a good option.
Clarizen Pros
- Easy to navigate.
- Configurable workflow automation.
- Project portfolio management and collaboration.
- Personalized Workflows.
- Goals Management.
- Portfolio Roadmaps.
- Open APIs.
- Quick setup.
Clarizen Cons
- Steep learning curve.
- No mobile app.
- No integration with Outlook or JIRA.
- Speed is reported slow.
18. Toggl
With Toggl, you get a combination of 3 tools (Toggle Track, Plan and Toggle Hire) for managing your projects. These tools integrate seamlessly and allow teams to plan, manage, and keep track of work using kanban style board views and timeline views.
Toggl Pros
- Free plan.
- Time Tracking.
- Jira Sync.
- Visual overviews.
- 100+ App Integrations.
Toggl Cons
- Limited mobile app.
- Data integrations does not work well.
- Reporting function a little confusing.
19. Paymo
Paymo is a modern work management software for remote teams. The software features advanced task management, collaboration, scheduling, time tracking, and invoicing. Essentially, Paymo allows teams to keep track of projects without using multiple apps.
Paymo Pros
- Comprehensive task timer.
- Team scheduling.
- Leave Planner.
- Auto scheduling.
- Task templates and priorities
- Custom user permissions.
Paymo Cons
- The timer does not detect idle time.
- Not intuitive.
20. Bonusly
Bonusly is an online collaboration software that gives teams project visibility through an easy-to-use user interface. The tool helps create a culture of recognizing good work within the organization and builds stronger relationships. You can set automated custom rewards for team members for any milestones completed.
Bonusly Pros
- Robust analytics.
- Employee surveys.
- Easy employee onboarding.
- Easy to use.
Bonusly Cons
- No free plan.
Here they are. Thank you for your time. Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration tools (pros and cons).
Best 20 Confluence Alternatives – Collaboration Tools (Pros and Cons) Conclusion
Above was the 20 best Confluence alternatives for you to enjoy comparing the tools. Remember, a collaboration tool is critical to boosting team efficiency and output. So, before choosing a tool, identify the team needs and involve users in the selection process. I hope this article helps you choose a suitable Confluence alternative.
